Divider inserting machine

ABSTRACT

A DIVIDER INSERTING MACHINE PARTICULARLY SUITED FOR USE IN DELIVERING, FORMING AND INSERTING DIVIDERS OF THE TYPE COMMONLY CALLED H-DIVIDERS INTO ERECTED AND OPEN CONTAINERS, A FEATURE OF THE MACHINE BEING THE UTILIZATION OF A DIVIDER INSERTING HEAD WHICH PARTIALLY FOLDS A PRESCORED, PARTIALLY FOLDED BLANK INTO AN H-SHAPED DIVIDER   D R A W I N G AND SUBSEQUENTLY INSERTS THE DIVIDER INTO AN ERECTED AND OPEN CONTAINER.

P 20, 7 E. J- DERDERIAN 3,605,572

DIVIDER INSERTING MACHINE Filed June 50, 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet l EDWARD J. DERDER/AN INI ENTOA W VM ATTORNEYS Sept. 20, 1971 E. J. DERDERIAN DIVIDER INSERTING MACHINE Filed June 39, 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I60 F LSSj LS6 EDWARD J DERDER/AN INVE N TOP S P 1971 E. J. DERDERIAN DIVIDER :NSERTING MACHINE 4 Shoots-Shoot 4 Filed June 30, 1969 EDWARD J. DERDERMN INVE N TOR 34,440 A/VQ M A TTORNEVS United States Patent 3,605,572 Patented Sept. 20, 1971 US. C]. 9337 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A divider inserting machine particularly suited for use in delivering, forming and inserting dividers of the type commonly called I-I-dividers into erected and open containers, a feature of the machine being the utilization of a divider inserting head which partially folds a prescored, partially folded blank into an H-shaped divider and subsequently inserts the divider into an erected and open container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to divider inserting machines and more particularly to a machine for folding prescored planar blanks into an H-shaped configuration and subsequently inserting the thus folded blanks into erected and open containers.

The prior art includes numerous devices for folding prescored blanks into various configurations, as well as numerous devices for inserting dividers into pre-erected containers. Frequently, such devices require the use of a forming mechanism which fabricates the divider of a selected configuration into a unitary member, using staples, glue, interconnecting tabs, and the like to form a unitary divider member which ultimately is inserted into a container at various points during the fabrication of the container. Normally, such devices are quite expensive and frequently require extensive manual labor to insert the preformed dividers into erected cartons.

Consequently, such existing devices and machines have V proven to be quite complex in nature and often are quite expensive to employ.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention overcomes many of the aforementioned difficulties through the use of a novel arrangement of sequentially operable blank manipulating devices which include a blank extractor, folders and a reciprocating inserter for forming a prescored partially folded blank into an H-shaped configuration and inserting the thus formed blank into an open-top container in a single stroke.

Accordingly, an object of the instant invention is to provide an improved divider erecting and inserting machine.

Another object is to provide an improved divider erecting and inserting mechanism having a plurality of blank manipulating members adapted to be actuated in sequence for extracting a blank, erecting it into an H- shaped configuration and displacing it downwardly into a received disposition within an open-top container.

Another object is to provide an improved automated machine for erecting prescored and preslit planar blanks into H-shaped dividers and inserting the dividers into open containers at a station located along a container conveyor.

These together with other objects and advantages Will become more readily apparent by reference to the following description and claims in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the machine embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the machine, taken generally along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the machine, taken along line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view taken generally along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a somewhat enlarged perspective view of the divider forming and inserting mechanism employed by the machine of the instant invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the connected control switches and drive means employed for sequentially operating the machine of FIGS. 1 through 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to FIG. 1, a machine embodying the principles of the present invention is illustrated in an operative disposition. The machine is provided with a blank advancing magazine 10, located adjacent to a divider inserting station 11. The magazine serves to advance a stack of individual, prescored and preslit divider blanks 12 for subsequent folding and insertion into erected, open-top containers 13.

The blanks 12 are of a configuration such that each includes a central panel 14 extending vertically between a pair of parallel score lines 16 and bisected by a horizontally extended score line 18. Adjacent to each vertical margin of the blanks, as defined by a score line 16, is a marginal flap panel 20. This panel is provided with a slit 22 extending inwardly from the margin to the score line 16 so as to divide the panel 20 into leading and trailing flaps when the blank is folded from a planar configuration to an H-shaped configuration.

The magazine 10 is of any convenient construction, however, as presently employed, the magazine includes horizontally spaced pairs of vertically aligned stops 24 mounted on a pair of vertical supports 26. The stops serve to engage the outer edges of the leading blank of the stack of blanks and arrests its forward displacement. In practice, the stack of blanks is advanced by a pair of intermittently activated conveyor chains 28 having a pusher plate 29 mounted thereon. The conveyor chains are driven in any suitable manner and normally include a limit switch 30 which serves to detect the presence of blanks as they engage the stops 24 and to cause advancement of the chains 28 to be arrested, once the stack of blanks is properly positioned adjacent to the stops. In the event no blanks are present at the stops 24, the limit switch 30 activates a suitable drive train, including a conveniently arranged electric motor, not shown, for advancing the chains and the associated pusher plate 29 for urging the stack of blanks 12 into an operative position against the stops 24. If desired, a retaining finger 32 may be mounted in a depending relationship adjacent to the leading edge of the blanks for engaging and retaining the blanks in a planar configuration at the stops 24.

The containers 13 are advanced to the station 11 by means including a conveyor 34. As a practical matter, the conveyor includes a continuously driven belt 36. Since the belt 36 forms no specific part of the instant invention, a detailed description is omitted, however, it is to be understood that the conveyor belt also is driven through any suitable means including an electrically energizable motor and drive train, not shown. In order properly to orient the open containers as they are advanced to the station 11, a pair of parallel, spaced guide rails 38 are provided so that the containers may be delivered therethrough and properly positioned to be received at the divider inserting station, as best shown in FIG. 4.

Adjacent to the upper surface of the belt 36, there is provided a laterally projected stop shoulder 40. This shoulder protrudes into the path of the advancing containers 13 and serves to arrest their displacement through the station 11. While it is practical to provide means for arresting the drive of the belt simultaneously with the arresting of the advancement of the containers, it has been found feasible continuously to drive the belt while accommodating displacement between the lower surface of the container and the upper surface of the belt.

Each of the containers 13 is, in turn, retained in an arrested condition by the shoulder 40 until such time as the divider blank has been fabricated into an H-shaped configuration and inserted downwardly into the container. In order to advance the container from the station, a pneumatic ram 42, having a kicker foot 44 mounted thereon, is disposed immediately preceding the stop shoulder 40. The foot 44 is so oriented that upon operation it is extended laterally across the uppermost surface of the belt 36 into displacing engagement with an adjacent vertical sidewall of the container 13 as the container is seated against the stop shoulder 40. This lateral displacement serves laterally to displace the container so that the leading edge thereof is displaced out of contact with the stop shoulder 40, whereupon continued advancement of the container is accommodated.

It has been found practical to employ a spring-biased roller '46 for continuously urging successive containers 13 into engagement with the stop shoulder 40, as they are advanced by the conveyor 34. The roller, as presently employed, is mounted on the extended end of a pivoted arm '49. This arm is spring-biased by a suitable compression spring 50 seated in operative engagement therewith. Consequently, as the containers are advanced by the conveyor belt 36 and are oriented by the pair of guide rails 38, they are forced into an arresting engagement with the stop shoulder 40. Subsequently, as the ram 42 is activated, each of the arrested containers is displaced laterally against the action of the spring 50 so that the displaced containers thus are released, in turn, for advancement from the station 11 by the continuously driven belt 36.

For accommodating containers of various dimensions, the stop shoulder 40 is mounted on a laterally adjustable shoe 52 supported by a pair of horizontally extended support rods 54, adjustably pinned to a stationary supporting mount 56, while the pivoted arm 48 is mounted by a pivot pin 58 on a laterally adjustable shoe 60. The shoe is supported by a pair of laterally extended support rods 62 adjustably coupled with an extended stringer 64 of the machine frame. Therefore, it should be appreciated that the spacing between the shoes 52 and 60 may be varied as desired, and, consequently, the effective spacing between the stop shoulder 40 and the roller 46 may be varied as found desirable.

For discharge purposes, a pair of parallel guide rails 66 are provided in a container receiving position relative to the discharge side of the station 11 for guiding the containers 13 as they are advanced from the station by the belt 36.

In order to remove blanks 12 from the magazine there is provided a. reciprocating pneumatic picker 68. The picker includes a rectilinearly reciprocating head 70, which is provided with a plurality of suction cups 72. The cups are displaced into a coupling engagement with the adjacent face of the blanks, as the blanks are retained in the magazine 10, for serially attaching the blanks to the head. Hence, each time the head is retracted, a blank is extracted from the magazine.

As a practical matter, the central panel 14 of each blank 12 is subdivided into upper and lower panel segments 74 and 76, respectively. These segments are defined by the horizontally extended score line 18 as the blanks are seated in the magazine 10. As best shown in FIG. 1, the head 70 is mounted at an elevation such that the suction cups 72 simultaneously engage the lowermost panel segment 76. Consequently, it should readily be apparent that the divider blanks are extracted by coupling 4 the head to the segment 76 and applying an extracting force thereto.

In order to achieve the desired reciprocation of the head 70, there is provided a double-acting pneumatic actuator 78, including a cylinder having mounted therein a reciprocating piston, not shown. The piston is provided with an axially extended, reciprocating output shaft 80 which is reciprocated in response to a selective pressurization of the cylinder. The distal end of the shaft 80 is connected through a convenient clevis 82 to the head 70 so that as the shaft 80 is reciprocated, a controlled extending and retracting displacement is imparted to the head 70.

One end of the actuator 78 is operatively supported through a convenient clevis 84 fixedly secured to a transverse beam 86, which, in turn, is supported at its ends by a pair of upright or vertical support beams 88. The opposite end of the actuator 78, adjacent to the shaft 80, is supported by a suitable yoke fixedly secured to an upright 92. While any suitable means may be employed in connecting the cylinder 78 with the upright, a convenient gusset 94 has been provided for this purpose. Therefore, it should be appreciated that the cylinder of the actuator is supported in a horizontal disposition whereby selective pressurization thereof serves to drive the shaft 80 in reciprocation for extending and retracting the head 70.

Extending rearwardly from the head 70 is a pair of parallel support bars 96 axially extended through a pair of operatively mounted sleeves 98. The sleeves serve as guides for the bars 96 as they are reciprocated therethrough. The sleeves 98 also are mounted on the gusset 94 and therefore also are secured to the vertical supports 92. Since the bars 96 are coupled to the head 70, rectilinear reciprocation is imparted thereto as the head is displaced.

Each of the suction cups 72 is mounted on the head 70 for independent reciprocation through the head and is urged in a direction extending away from the face of the blanks in the magazine 10 by means of helical compression springs 100. Hence, as the head is retracted, subsequent to an engagement of the cups 72 with the face of the blank 12, the springs 100 serve as shock absorbers, whereby a gentle pull is exerted on the blank as it is extracted from the magazine 10.

As best shown in FIG. '6, each of the suction cups 72 is connected with a vacuum pump VP so that vacuum selectively is applied through the vacuum cups 72 to the face of the blank 12 through an activation of the vacuum pump. Consequently, it is to be understood that when the head 70 is extended through an operation of the actuator 78, vacuum is applied to the face of the blank through the cups 72 for securely attaching the blank to the head so that as the head is retracted the blank is drawn from between the stops 2 4 to a position above the station 11.

In operation, the upper panel segment 74 is free to rotate or to be folded about the horizontal score line 18. To achieve the folding, a horizontally extended former, including a pair of horizontally extended shoes 102, is provided to engage the segment '74 of the central panel of the blank 12 as the blank is extracted from the magazine 10. As best shown in FIG. 5, the shoes 102 fold the segment 76 through approximately 90 as the blank is positioned above the blank station 11. While various means may be employed in mounting and supporting the shoes 102, a pair of parallel diagonal braces 104 has been found to function quite satisfactorily for this purpose. The shoes 102 and the diagonal braces 104 are coupled with the upright 92 through any suitable means including brackets and stud bolts, not shown.

In order to assure an appropriate positioning of the blank 12 above the divider inserting station, a pair of parallel, resilient, blank positioning bars 106 are provided in a depending relationship with the shoes 102. In practice, each of the bars 106 includes a pair of generally parallel members pivotally interconnected by a pivot pin 107, FIG. 1, and are resiliently maintained in a spaced relationship by a compression spring 108. The bars 106 are disposed at opposite sides of the head 70 in the path of the blanks 12 as they are extracted from the magazine 10. Since the bars 106 include the compression spring 108 and the suction cups 72 resiliently are mounted by means including the springs 100, each blank is brought into appropriate orientation without subjecting it to destructive forces.

With the blank 12 partially formed and positioned above the station 11, the flap panels 20 are separated into four flaps 110, 112, 114 and 116 coupled to the central panel 14 at the score lines 16. As the panel portion 74 is rotated about the score line 18, the lower flaps 110 and 116 are caused to assume an orthogonal relationship relative to the upper flaps 112 and 114. Since it is intended that the divider assume an H-shaped configuration, the blank flaps 110 and 116 must be folded in a manner such as to assume a leading flap configuration extending in an orthogonal relationship relative to the panel segment 76 while the flaps 112 and 114 are folded in an opposite direction, whereby they are caused to assume a trailing flap configuration extending in an orthogonal relationship relative to the panel segment 74 of the blank. To achieve the desired folding, the machine is provided with a pair of leading flap folding arms 118 and 120- and a pair of trailing flap folding arms 122 and 124, as best shown in FIG. 3.

The arms 118 through 124 are rigidly fixed to a pair of parallel, vertically disposed oscillating drive shafts 126 in a manner such that each of the shafts 126 is provided with a leading flap folding arm and a trailing flap folding arm secured thereto having a predetermined angular displacement established therebetween. Oscillation of the shafts 126 is achieved through a bell crank 127 coupled with the lower end of each of the shafts. The shafts operatively are supported for rotation by a plurality of bearings 128. The bearings are of any suitable design and are rigidly secured to the frame of the machine in any convenient manner. The required oscillation is imparted by a pair of pneumatic actuators 129 operatively coupled with the crank arms 127. Therefore, in order to effect a folding of the flaps 110 and 116 into an orthogonal relationship relative to the panel portion 76, the shafts 126 are oscillated about their vertical axis through an activation of actuators 129. This actuation causes the arms 118 to engage the flaps 110 and 116 and displace them in rotation about the score lines 16. Concurrently with the displacement of the flaps 110 and 116, the arms 122 and 124 are positioned beneath the flaps 112 and 114 in a position to engage the flaps and fold them about the score lines 16 as additional displacement is imparted to the panel segment 74 for folding that portion about the score line 18, as illustrated in dotted lines of FIG. 5. The additional folding of the panel segment 74 about the score line 18 occurs through an actuation of a divider inserter 130.

The inserter 130 includes a vertically reciprocating bifurcated head 132 having a generally vertically disposed pair of parallel legs 134 and 136 defining a space of a predetermined dimension therebetween terminating at a throat 137. The head 132 is mounted for vertical reciprocation for the purpose of engaging and completing the folding of the divider member and the seating of it within a container 13 disposed in a receiving disp si ion beneath the station 11.

The leg 136 is provided with an extended foot 138 depending downwardly and obliquely from the distal end of the leg and is so positioned relative to a partially folded blank as to engage the face of the panel segment 74 as the head 132 is displaced or extended downwardly in a divider inserting displacement. Therefore, it should be apparent that as the head 132 is displaced downwardly, the foot 138 engages the panel segment 74 causing it to be rotated about the score line 18. Continued displacement causes the segment to assume a generally parallel relationship with the panel segment 76 and, simultaneously, to cause the flaps 112 and 114 to engage the distal end of the arms 122, whereupon the flaps are folded up wardly out of the plane of the panel segment 74, about the score line 16, to assume a trailing and orthogonal relationship relative to the panel 74 as the folding of the blank is completed to an H-shaped configuration.

As the blank 12 is folded to assume an H-shaped configuration, the legs 134 and 136 are seated in engagement with the panel portions 74 and 76 in a manner such that the folded central panel 14 securely is received between the legs. The extent of the downward displacement stroke of the head 132 is such that it serves to strip the folded blank and seat it as an H-divider within a container 13 retained at the station 11 by the shoulder 40'. Once a divider is inserted into a container, the head 132 is retracted upwardly whereupon forces of friction and the weight of the divider cause it to become confined within the container. As the head 132 clears a container 13, in its return, the kicker 44 is activated to displace the container out of engagement with the shoulder 40 so that the next container is permitted to seat in a divider receiving disposition at the divider inserting station 11.

The head 132 is mounted for reciprocation by means including a mounting bracket 140 fixed to a laterally disposed connecting plate 142. The head 132 is driven in reciprocation by a convenient pneumatic actuator 144 including a piston, also not shown, operatively coupled with a reciprocating output shaft 146. The reciprocating output shaft 146 is coupled with the plate 142 in any convenient manner including a convenient screw-threaded stud coupling 148, FIG. 1. The actuator 144 is supported in a vertical orientation by a tower 150, which, in turn, is supported in a vertical relationship relative to the station 11 by the vertical support 92. Convenient bracing, including beams 152, are provided for securing the tower 150, while the actuator 144 is coupled to the tower 150 by any suitable means, such as a clevis 154 from which the actuator is suspended.

Also extended upwardly from the head 132 is a pair of guide rods 156. These rods extend axially through fixedly supported cylindrical sleeves 158, in sliding engagement therewith, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1, and thereby serve to impose a selected alignment on the head 132 relative to the divider inserting station 11. In practice, the sleeves 158 are fixedly mounted on the tower structure by convenient mounting means including brackets and screwthreaded studs, not shown.

Therefore, it should readily be apparent that the head 132, and, consequently, the depending legs 136 and 138, operatively are reciprocated in a vertical plane for completing the fabrication of the divider blank and for subsequently inserting the selectively configured divider blank into an open-top container 13 as the container is retained in a divider receiving disposition directly beneath the head.

Machine control While various means can be employed in controlling the machine embodying the principles of the present invention, it has been found convenient to utilize a plurality of limit switches of a readily available type which includes a spring-biased and extended arm adapted to be depressed for making and breaking electrical circuits. Since limit switches of this variety are quite common, a detailed description thereof is omitted. However, it is to be understood that each of the limit switches employed serves to provide an electrical output signal, or alternatively, interruption of a continuous signal, which is utilized for effecting control of a selected element of the machine.

As best illustrated in FIG. 6, the pneumatic actuators 42, 78, 129 and 144 are controlled through convenient selector valves 160 of similar design. While the valves 160 may be of any suitable design, it is to be understood that, in practice, each of the valves is a solenoid driven valve and is so connected with an associated actuator as selectively and alternately to pressurize opposite sides of an associated actuator cylinder through pressure lines connected therethrough to a pneumatic pump P. Each of the valves also accommodates an escape of pneumatic pressure at the opposite sides of the associated cylinder, whereby a reciprocating displacement is imparted to the actuators output shaft by simultaneously pressurizing and depressurizing opposite sides of the actuators cylinder.

While a source of electrical energy is not illustrated for the sake of brevity, it is to be understood that, as a practical matter, a DC (direct current) source of electrical potential could be employed, however, in practice, a source of alternating current is preferred, as indicated in FIG. 6. In any event, it is to be understood that each of the limit switches is so mounted on the machine and is so interconnected in the electrical circuit as efiectively to drive the solenoid of the associated selector valve 160 in a predetermined manner to achieve a desired actuation thereof.

Referring to FIG. 1, it will be noted that the limit switch LS1 is disposed adjacent to the distal end of one of the guide rods 156 in a manner such that its operative lever arm is disposed within the path of the end of the guide rod, when the head 130 is in downwardly extended disposition, so that it is actuated by the end of the rod when the head 132 is in an upwardly retracted disposition.

When the guide rod 156 is upwardly retracted, the limit switch LS1 causes the solenoid of its associated selector valve 160 to be energized for directing air to the actuator 78, for thus extending the shaft 80, whereby the picker head 70 is extended into engagement with the face of the outermost blank 12 of the magazine 10. As best shown in FIG. 3, a limit switch LS2 is so mounted adjacent to one of the bars 96 in a manner that when the head 70 is fully extended, the limit switch LS2 is actuated by a camming surface 162 formed near the distal end of the associated rod. Upon being actuated by the surface 162, the limit switch LS2 delivers an electrical output to a selector valve 160 operatively coupled with the actuator 78 for achieving a reverse flow of air thcrethrough for thus retracting the shaft 80. In practice, a stop shoulder 163 is mounted on the shaft 96 for limiting the displacement of the shaft 80.

A limit switch LS3, FIG. 3, also is mounted on the frame member 86 in the path of the surface 162 near the distal end of the guide bar 96. This switch is operatively associated with the actuators 129. As the shaft 180 is retracted, the distal end of the adjacent guide bar is caused to engage the actuating lever of the limit switch LS3, whereupon the actuators 1.29 are activated for rotating the pair of shafts 126 about their vertical axes for thus displacingthe various flap folding arms 120 through 124. Concurrently, with the rotation of the shafts 126, extension of the inserter head 132 is initiated through an activation of the actuator 144 in response to an actuation of the limit switch LS3 by the guide bar 96. However, be-

tween the selector valve 160 connected with the actuator 144, and the limit switch LS3, there is electrically connected an additional limit switch LS4 which must be closed before the inserter head is actuated. This switch is mounted adjacent to the container conveyor 34 and is actuated only by a container 13 seated against the stop shoulder 40. So long as a container is seated against the shoulder 40 an electrical circuit from the limit switch LS3 to its associated selector valve 160, of the actuator 144, is closed. However, in the absence of a container, this circuit is interrupted so that no signal is delivered to the selector valve for actuating the cylinder 144. There fore, the limit switches LS3 and LS4 are in circuit series for controlling the downward extension of the shaft 146 for thus preventing a downward displacing of the inserter head 132 in the absence of a prepared container 13.

A limit switch LS also is mounted adjacent to the rod 156, FIG. 1. As the head 132 is displaced downwardly, the limit switch LS5 is actuated by an actuating camming surface 164 formed near the end of the rod 156. This switch operatively is associated with a vacuum control valve 160, which, in turn, is coupled with the vacuum pump VP and functions for controlling the vacuum applied to the cups 72. Therefore, as the switch LS5 is actuated, the vacuum applied to the cups is terminated for thus freeing the now folded divider for subsequent insertion into an open-top container.

As the head 132 continues downwardly for seating the divider, the surface 164 serves to actuate a limit switch LS6 mounted adjacent to the rod 156. This limit switch also is connected with the selector valve 160 associated with the actuator 144 and serves reversely to actuate the selector valve for causing the shaft 146, and consequently the head 132, to be upwardly retracted.

As the head 132 is seated at the upper most extent of its travel, the distal end of the guide rod 146 again engages and actuates the limit switch LS1 for thus initiating a recycling of the machine, whereupon the foregoing cycle is repeated. As a practical matter, the pumps P and V are continuously actuated in response to a convenient stopstart switch SS. This switch is included in the circuit for opening and closing the circuit ahead of the various limit switches employed in the control circuit, whereby on-olf conditions are imposed on the machine.

Operation The operation of the described embodiment of the subject invention is believed to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at this point. It is to be understood that the H-divider inserting machine is designed to extract a prescored, preslit blank 12 from the magazine 10, then form the blank into a desired H-shaped configuration and insert it into an opentop container 13 disposed at an inserting station -11.

Therefore, the blanks 12 are provided in planar form and are deposited in stacked condition on the conveyor chain 28 to be brought into engagement with the stops 24 and 3-2, while being reanwardly supported by the pusher plate 29. With the blanks thus positioned, the limit switch 30 is actuated for deactivating the advance of the conveyor chain 28. However, as the blanks are withdrawn from the magazine 10, the limit switch 30 again is activated for again advancing the stacks of blanks.

Simultaneously with the operative positioning of the blanks, open-top containers 13 serially are deposited on the conveyor 34, which serves to advance the containers against the stop shoulders 40. As the containers 13 engage the stop shoulder 40, they are positioned by the spring-biased roller 46 with their presence being detected by the limit switch LS4, which serves to complete a circuit between the selector valve 160 which controls the cylinder 144.

The start-stop switch SS now is closed for initiating a continuous operation of the machine whereupon the limit switch LS1 is activated and the pumps P and VP are rendered effective for pneumatically energizing the machine. The selector valve 160 controlling the actuation of the actuator 78 is activated by a signal from the limit switch LS1 for extending the shaft 80. As the shaft is extended, the head 70 is advanced for seating the pneumatically energized suction cups 72 against the lower segment 76 of the central panel 14 of the blank 12 retained in the magazine '10.

As the head 70 is extended, the limit switch LS2 is activated, by the surface 162, whereupon direction of travel of the shaft 80 is reversed for retracting the head and extracting a blank 12 from the magazine 10. As the retraction occurs, so that the blank is displaced toward a seated position against the blank positioning bars 106, the shoes 102 engage the panel segment 74 and fold the segment about the score line 18. As the distal ends of the guide bars 96 are seated in their retracted-most position, the limit switch LS3 is actuated for completing a circuit to its associated selector valve 160 which now serves to actuate the pneumatic actuators 129. The actuators 129 cause the arms 118 and 120 to engage the flaps 110 and 116 and fold them about the score line 16 into an orthagonal relationship relative to the segment 76 of the panel 14. Concurrently therewith, the arms 12.2 and 124 are rotated into a position directly beneath the flaps 112 and 114, respectively.

As the actuators 129 are activated, a circuit also is completed from the limit switch LS3, through the limit switch LS4, to the selector valve 160 connected with the actuator 144, whereupon the shaft 146 is extended for causing the head 132 of the divider inserter 130 to be extended in a downward direction. As the shaft 146 is extended, the foot 138 of the leg 136 engages the orthogonally folded panel segment 74, causing this segment to be folded through an additional 90 into contiguous engagement with the surface of the panel segment 76. As this folding occurs, the flaps 112 are caused to assume a folded disposition relative to the panel portion 74 in a manner such that they are extended in a trailing direction. Continued downward displacement of the head 132 causes the limit switch LS to be actuated for eifecting an actuation of the valve 160 for thereby achieving an interruption of the vacuum applied through the suction cups 72 for thus releasing the divider for insertion into a container. Continued displacement of the head 132 causes the H-divider, now in completed form, to be inserted within the open-top container 13 positioned by the conveyor 34 at the station 11.

As the head 132 approaches the extremity of its downward stroke, the surface 164 formed on the guide rod 156 engages the limit switch LS6 for effecting reversing actuation of an actuator 144. As the reverse actuation for the actuator is achieved, the limit switch LS5 is again actuated for now imparting a kicking displacement of the pneumatic ram 42 for driving the kicker foot 44 laterally, relative to the conveyor 34, for engaging and displacing the container 13 so that it is caused to be discharged by the continued driving displacement of the belt 36. As the head 132 is seated in its uppermost retracted position, the limit switch LS1 is again activated for initiating a recycling of the machine.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A divider inserting machine comprising:

(A) means defining a divider inserting station;

(B) means for retaining open containers at the divider inserting station;

(C) means adapted to deliver divider blanks to the divider inserting station;

(D) means for forming delivered blanks into shaped dividers; and

(E) means for inserting the dividers into the open containers as they are retained at said station.

2. A divider inserting machine comprising:

(A) means for advancing a container to a divider receiving position;

(B) blank advancing means adapted to deliver prescored divider blanks, each blank having a horizontally extended score line defining a segmented central panel, and a pair of vertically extended score lines defining a marginal flap segment at opposite sides of the central panel;

(C) means for sequentially extracting blanks from the blank advancing means;

(D) a former for folding each blank about the horizontally extended score line;

(E) means for folding each blank about the vertically extended score lines; and

(F) means for inserting each folded blank into a container.

3. The machine according to claim 2 wherein the means for extracting said blanks comprises a rectilinearly reciprocating pneumatic picker adapted to reciprocate into engaging contact with a planar surface of said blank and retract to a position above the container as it is advanced to a divider receiving position.

4. The combination according to claim 3 wherein the means for folding the blank about the horizontal score line comprises a generally horizontally extended plow adapted to displace one segment of the blank through and a vertically reciprocating former adapted to displace the portion of the blank through an additional 90.

5. The machine according to claim 4 wherein the vertically reciprocating former includes a channular member having a generally V-shaped throat portion adapted to receive both portions of said blank therein and a laterally extended foot adapted to engage the face of the displaced one segment of the blank.

6. The machine according to claim 5 wherein the means for folding the blank about the vertical score lines includes a first and a second pair of pivoted flap-folding arms adapted to reciprocate about a vertical axis for engaging the marginal segments of the blank for effecting a displacement thereof, whereby the marginal segments are caused to extend in planes arranged in orthogonal alignment with the plane of the faces of the blank.

7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein the first and the second pivoted arms include a pair of arms adapted to engage a first marginal flap segment of the blank at one side of the horizontally extended score line, and at opposite ends of one segment of the central panel, for positioning the flap segments leading disposition relative to the face of the blank, and a second arm adapted to engage a second marginal flap segment of the blank above the laterally extended score line for positioning the second marginal segments in a trailing disposition relative to the face of the blank, whereby the blank is caused to assume an H-divider configuration.

8. The machine according to claim *6 further comprising control means adapted to impose sequential operations on the machine, comprising:

(A) a first switch means adapted to effect an extending displacement of the picker;

(B) means for causing a vacuum to be applied to said picker;

(C) means adapted to effect a retraction of said picker for positioning the blank above the open container;

(D) means adapted to actuate the arms in response to the retraction of the picker;

(E) means for detecting the presence of a container beneath the reciprocating former;

(F) means for disabling a vacuum means as the in serter is reciprocated downwardly;

(G) means for initiating a contraction of said inserter;

(H) means for delivering the container having the divider inserted therein; and

(1) means for interrupting the operation of the machine when the absence of a container beneath the former is sensed.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS GRANVILLE Y. CUSTER, JR., Primary Examiner 

